Enticing Eve: Scandalous Secrets, Book 2 (15 page)

Colin turned to face his brother, the man who he knew only as a friend for so long … a man he hadn’t seen since learning the truth about his parentage.

Upon returning from his years in hell, Colin had expected their relationship to change with the knowledge that he was Sebastian’s illegitimate brother. He couldn’t have been more wrong. From the moment he first saw Sebastian it was as if no time had passed. Their friendship remained intact. In addition, Sebastian welcomed Colin into his home and into his family. He also respected Colin’s need to keep the truth quiet.

To all outsiders, they had become one family ever since Sebastian married Gwen. Except there was now a rift, all because Colin coveted his younger brother’s betrothed.

“I’ve certainly made a bloody mess of things,” he confessed. “I know how Tristan feels but how about my sister? Does she despise me yet?” As Tristan’s twin, Colin was certain that Gwen would never forgive him for his actions.
 

“Gwen loves you,” Sebastian’s tone brokered no argument. He walked over to the gilded wood console then grabbed a crystal decanter filled with amber liquid. He poured it into a matching tumbler before offering it to Colin.
 

Colin shook his head, lifting his glass in the air. “You are a little late as I have already helped myself to your excellent liquor.” He then took a hefty gulp of brandy, hoping it would infuse warmth into his limbs. Since Eve fled, his heart felt hollow and cold. Even brandy failed to warm him.

How odd. He hadn’t felt his heart in so long, certain it no longer existed. Until his kiss with Eve had reawakened it. Her kiss caused him to feel it beating, hard and fast. Even now, he couldn’t ignore its steady rhythm.
 

Not since Eve.

Sebastian carried his glass in one hand and the decanter in the other, marching towards the sofa in the center of the room. As he placed the decanter onto the table, he said, “You may need to refill your glass before we begin.”

“I take it you want an explanation?” a rhetorical question, of course, since Colin was certain that his brother sought exactly that.

“It would be appropriate.” Sebastian sat on the sofa and crossed his legs, apparently waiting for Colin to begin.

After swallowing the remaining contents of his glass, Colin refilled and took another large gulp before admitting, “I was acquainted with Eve several years ago. We were betrothed, albeit unofficially. Her family was unaware as was mine.”

Sebastian nodded. “I’m assuming you broke the betrothal before you could tell anyone?”

“Lachlan called me to his estate in Scotland.” Colin paused, taking another hefty swig of his brandy. Even now, after all of these years, the memory clawed at his insides like a wild animal. “I made the mistake of telling him.”

“I take it he wasn’t happy about the match?”

Colin’s limbs began to relax from his brother’s strong liquor. He welcomed the numbness. “To the contrary, he was thrilled.”

As he watched the confusion cloud Sebastian’s features, Colin remembered Fiona’s comment. They both had their father’s azure eyes. It was a matter of time before others noticed it, as well.
 

The
ton
would soon uncover one of his secrets.
 

How long until they learned the rest?

Sebastian cleared his throat, jarring his brother back to the matter at hand. “My apologies. Where was I?” Colin asked.

“Lachlan was thrilled,” Sebastian prompted.

“Ah, yes, well it’s not every day that your son tells you he is marrying a Viscount’s daughter.” Colin paused for dramatic effect. “But, then again, I wasn’t his son. He took morbid delight in revealing all the sordid details to me. He also reminded me that no Viscount’s family would ever allow a bastard into their midst. You see, Lachlan planned to take great pleasure in announcing to Eve’s parents, not to mention all of polite society, the truth about my parentage.”

“That man was depraved,” Sebastian murmured.
 

Colin didn’t trust his voice, so instead he nodded his agreement. Lachlan MacAlistair was indeed a vile man. Upon hearing the news of the man’s demise, Colin felt relief combined with a small tinge of happiness.

To this day, the knowledge sickened him.

He had become despicable like his father. Hell, like both of his fathers, for he was sired and raised by two such men, devoid of all morals.

Sebastian leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees, “There isn’t a soul alive who wishes Lachlan was still alive.”

“Not even his mistress? Or his bastard son?” Colin asked, his words dripping with sarcasm.

“Gwen spoke to his mistress at the memorial service. She understood what an evil man Lachlan had become. As for his bastard,” Sebastian puckered his lips as if disgusted by the mere mention of the man. “Keir cares only for himself. I’m certain he doesn’t grieve.”

Colin nodded then turned his attention to the console table that held a few other opulent crystal decanters of various liquors. He was beginning to wish he’d downed the whole damn vessel of brandy before beginning this conversation.
 

His father, if he could call him that, deserved no one’s grief. Then the thought occurred to him: would anyone grieve for Colin MacAlistair?

It
 
wasn’t
 
the
 
first
 
time he’d considered such a thing. After all, war led to death, and Colin found himself obsessed with the prospect at one point in time, his mortality representing an end to the torment that seemed to weigh more heavily upon him with each passing minute.

Death never came for him, though. Apparently neither God nor Satan wanted Colin any more than his father did.
 

He made a silent correction –
fathers
.
 

Neither his blood father nor the man who raised him had ever wanted him.
 

Eventually, Colin was given the choice to live or die, and like so many men in his situation he chose his survival. With that one rather simple decision, from that fateful day forward, Eve had been his only diversion, becoming somewhat of a mirage to him. The promises they made to one another, the future they could have once shared. She had become his true North.
 

Nothing could stave his love for her – not the carnage of war, his family’s secrets or his own sins. She was on his mind every night as he searched the constellations twinkling in the endless night sky. She even permeated his dreams.

When his sister’s investigators found him, Colin was reminded for the first time in what seemed like an eternity that he had a family awaiting his return. Now
 
a
 
large
 
portion
 
of
 
his
 
family
 
had every reason
 
to
 
despise
 
him.
 

Who would mourn Colin MacAlistair?
 

Certainly not Tristan and, in spite of Sebastian’s avowals to the contrary, Colin was certain that neither would Gwen. Not after what he had done to her twin. Sebastian and Victoria might, but if so, would it be out of pity – mourning for their unfortunate brother who suffered because of their father’s terrible indiscretion?

Colin despised Lachlan, and now he had done far worse – he destroyed their family. A feat even Lachlan was incapable of despite his best efforts.

“You’re not like him,” Sebastian’s voice was deeper than it had been mere moments before.

Colin turned his attention back to his brother, noting the tension that was emanating from his clenched jaw. He remained silent, uncertain of what to say.

“You’re not like either of them,” Sebastian added.

“Good God, your intuition is impressive. That must drive your wife mad,” Colin was proud of his jovial banter when his nerves were jarred by his brother’s alarming ability to read his thoughts.
 

Sebastian’s tone remained serious. “I’m no clairvoyant. You and I are very much alike. We always have been.” He placed his empty tumbler next to the half-full decanter on the gilded table in front of him before continuing. “It’s what I would be contemplating.”

Colin was now certain that no amount of alcohol could numb his taut nerves. He placed his glass down then stretched before striding over to the large window, well aware that it faced the terrace then the gardens beyond, though pitch-blackness had befallen the scene. Clouds now shrouded the moon, hiding the landscape from view. Instead, all Colin could see was his own reflection staring back at him in the pane of glass.
 

The sight of his eyes reminded him of Eve’s remarks …
I see it in your eyes, the sadness.
Her observation was accurate. His eyes were hollow, devoid of happiness, and he was certain they always would be.

Turning away from his reflection, Colin decided instead to study his brother. Sebastian was happy. It was evident at present, even when he was concerned for his family. His eyes were bright, emanating hope.
 

“Hurting Tristan wasn’t my intention though I did seek the truth tonight,” Colin admitted, gauging his half-brother’s reaction.

Sebastian stood, crossing the room to join Colin at the window. “Were you aware that Eve kept the truth from him?”

Colin shook his head. “I assumed she had told him but it makes no difference. The blame falls on me. I kissed her fully aware that she was betrothed to him.”

“What will you do?”

“Marry her,” Colin paused noting that Sebastian didn’t seem the least bit surprised. “Tristan didn’t need to explain the ramifications, the ruin to Eve’s reputation. I knew the moment I kissed her that she’d have no choice but to marry me.”
 

Sebastian patted his brother’s arm in a silent show of support. “It’s the right course of action, Colin.”

“Is it?” Colin shook his head. “I will make Eve a horrible husband and she will never be happy with me. Nor I with her, for I will always know that I stole the life meant for my younger brother.”

Sebastian exhaled before he spoke. “Do you honestly believe that Tristan would have been happy marrying a woman who loves another?”

“Victoria articulated the same thing to me this afternoon,” Colin grinned at his half-sister’s intelligence and infallible insight – were they familial traits? “She also recognized that I was in love with Eve.”

“Damn, she is clever!” Sebastian retorted, his pride evident. “Victoria knew I was in love with Gwen long before I did, and it annoyed the hell out of me. I should have warned you about her.”

“Victoria was correct yet again. I do love Eve,” Colin admitted, certain Sebastian already knew it. “But I won’t make her happy.”

“How can you be so certain?” his brother walked over and poured more brandy into his tumbler.
 

“Because she doesn’t know the truth,” Colin need not elaborate. He would let Sebastian think he was referring to his parentage. His brother didn’t know the rest and, if Colin had his way, no one would ever learn what unspeakable acts he executed while he was abroad.
 

Sebastian’s hand stilled in the process of lifting his glass to his lips. “If Eve loves you, your bloodlines won’t matter.”

Colin turned again toward the window, avoiding his reflection by staring at a smudge at the bottom corner of the glass, no doubt made by his niece or nephew. “Eve observed that I’ve changed.”

“Everyone changes. Days become years, and we all evolve.” Sebastian made it sound so simple.

“I wanted a life with her,” Colin again turned towards Sebastian. “God forgive me, I kissed her and ensured that she wouldn’t marry Tristan. Perhaps I am as manipulative as Lachlan?”

Colin studied his brother’s expression and witnessed Sebastian’s jaw clench. Momentary though it may have been, Colin witnessed it nonetheless. “You can’t deny it.”

“It’s not that,” Sebastian placed his glass upon the table. “I was you, once. I loved Gwen and was willing to do anything to marry her, including lying to her father, convincing him that she was carrying my child then hiding the truth from her.”

“Is this an attempt to make me feel better?” Colin narrowed his eyes in disbelief.

Sebastian raked his hands through his hair. “It’s the honest to God truth, one which I’m not proud of. It nearly destroyed my marriage and my family.”
 

“But Gwen forgave you?” Colin already knew the answer, but the distraction was a welcome one from their previous topic.

“Yes, she did. That’s how I know that Eve won’t care who fathered you, or how malevolent the man who raised you was,” Sebastian clapped his brother on the arm as if to solidify his words. “She will also forgive you for staying away.”

“You’re assuming she loves me as much as Gwen loved you.” Colin’s brow furrowed.

“Eve wouldn’t have risked scandal if she didn’t love you.”

“History books are filled with women who have ruined their reputations for less—”

“Not Eve,” Sebastian’s tone brokered no argument. “I’ve known her since she was a child. She and Fiona are part of our family. On this, I am certain.”